Table-leaf support



(No. Model.)

M. REGK. TABLE LEAF SUPPORT.

Patented Oct. 10, 1893.

lll

WITNESSES INVENTOR UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

MARTHA BECK, OF UNION BRIDGE, MARYLAND.

TAB LE-LEAF SU PPO RT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 506,545, dated October10, 1893.

Application filed June 10, 1893- Serial No. 477,139; (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTHA BECK, a resiclear, and exact description ofthe invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use the same.

The invention relates to a combined table and ironing board and has forits object to provide a ladys work table having dropping leaves whichwhen suitably raised and supported serve together with the table topproper as an ironing board, and it has for its further object to provideconvenient and efficient devices for sustaining said leaves.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a front elevation; Fig. 2 anend elevation. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional details, the former beingtaken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 and the latter on the bentline 4-4 of thesame figure; and Fig. 5 is a plan.

Numeral 1 denotes the pedestal, 2 the top and 3 the leaves of the table.These may be shaped substantially as indicated to adapt them for usewith the table top as a board upon which to iron skirts, shirts andother articles which are customarily slipped over the end of the ironingboard during the ironing process.

4 denotes drawers which may be used for holding sewing implements or maybe made deep enough to receive sad irons.

The pedestal is firmly secured upon abase 5 preferably made ofconsiderable extent in the direction of theleaves and which may be madeoblong as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5. The object of thiselongated base is to provide a stable support to the table and itsleaves which are subjected to a downward thrust at their outer endduring the ironing operation.

To solidly support the leaves the braces 6 are provided. These are eachhinged to the under side of a leaf and adapted to bear on an eccentricfixed upon a shaft 8 having hearings in the ends of the table andadapted to be turned in said bearings by a handle 9. The

eccentrics are provided with a circumferential groove 10 and notch 11.This groove has its outer wall chamfered so that the brace may be morereadily entered therein and the necessary width of said groove reduced.The eccentrics, shaft and handle are so arranged that when the handle isat its lowest position the notches 11 of the eccentrics are immediatelyover the axis or shaft 8 and in the path of the braces. When a leaf israised to or near to the horizontal position the free end of the bracecan be passed through the notch 11 into the groove 10 whereupon bysuitably turning the shaft by means of the handle the widerpart of theeccentric is forced under the foot of the brace and it is thereby thrustagainst the leaf to which it is hinged. To prevent the foot of the bracefrom being moved laterally by the friction of the eccentric a slottedbracket 12 can be secured to the table with its slot immediately overnotch 11 the construction and arrangement being such that the braceenters the slot and is held laterally by its walls when the eccentric isturned. The friction of the braces on the periphery of the eccentricwill ordinarily prevent their accidental turning, but for greatersecuritya rack 13 may be secured to the table beside the path of thehandle 9. One end of a spring pawl 14 is secured and normally adapted toengage the teeth of the rack. The other end extends outwardly alongsidethe handle and is adapted to be pressed against said handle or into agroove 15 therein when it is desired to disengage the pawl from a notchin the rack. Either leaf can .be independently raised and supported andthe table is adapted both for ordinary uses and for ironing. For thelatter purpose the elongated base, the braces and the devices forsupporting them and imparting an upward thrust to the leaves are welladapted.

I am aware that adjustable braces for table leaves provided with holdingratchets and also table tops with. leaves the whole having the generalshape ofan ironing board are not new and such devices I do not claim. Itis characteristic of my improvement that braces hinged to the leaves ofa table have their lower ends supported on the surfaces of eccentricssaid eccentrics being fixed on a shaft provided with an operating lever,and that means are provided for holding these lower ends both laterallyand longitudinally of the table while they are free to be raised andlowered with the surfaces of the eccentrics. These braces are hinged tothe leaves as stated. By this construction the leaves can be securelyfastened and so as to permit no play at their connection with the tabletop and they can be raised by a single centrally situated lever actingon the eccentric shaft to impart a nicely graduated end thrust to thebraces which elevate the leaves.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a table thecombination of a leaf, a brace, and an eccentric secured to the tableand adapted to impart a longitudinal thrust to the brace, and means forholding the foot ing witnesses.

MARTHA BECK. Witnesses:

GEO. P. BUOKEY,

EDWARD W. LEEDS.

